Update 5.5.0 Update 3 when using Custom Image

[MickAus]

Hello,

I'm not very familiar with VMware, so sorry if I'm missing some basic understanding.

I had a 2 node 5.5 cluster using Dell hardware which I build using VMware ISO, I wanted to refresh the hardware to HP DL 360 Gen9. I first started with updating my current versions to 5.5.0 U3. I updated all the server components, and then imported the new 5.5.0U3a image into Update Manager and rememdiated the two nodes with no issues. I then removed a node and built the new DL360. I found there is a HP Custom Image, so used Intelligent Provisioning with the Custom Image, added this host, and then did a scan for updates.

It said the U3 image needed to be installed, but this crashed the server error:file ks.cfg could not find boot partition.

I tried building the server with the HP Custom U2 image and then updating with the generic U3 image, and this also crashed with the same error.

So, am I making a mistake trying to update a HP custom image with the standard VM image ? If you start with  custom image you can only apply custom image updates ?

Thanks, and sorry if this is a basic question.

Mick

[Techie01]

The error is mostly coming from storage driver side. It is not able to identify the boot disk. Can you post the controller information  ( lspci output or esxcfg-scsidevs -a output)

From the driver compatibility guide, if the controller is smart array 440Ar, then the driver should be hpsa version 5.5.0.84-1OEM or hpsa version 5.5.0.74-1OEM.

[MickAus]

esxcfg-scsidevs -a output

vmhba0  hpsa              link-n/a  sas.5001438034dffc10                    (0:3:0.0) Hewlett-Packard Company Smart Array P440ar

I think I was making the mistake of installing VMware-ESXi-5.5.0-Update3-3029944-HP-550.9.3.26-Sep2015.iso but then updating with VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0.update03-3116895.x86_64.iso (because Update Manager said it was missing).

I proved that I could install VMware-ESXi-5.5.0-Update2-2403361-HP-550.9.2.40.2-Sep2015.iso and then update to VMware-ESXi-5.5.0-Update3-3029944-HP-550.9.3.26-Sep2015.iso

Perhaps the non HP updates do not contain the correct driver.

I ended up rebuilding with VMware-ESXi-5.5.0-Update3-3029944-HP-550.9.3.26-Sep2015.iso and then one critical patch.

I will make sure that I don't load any future non-HP updates.

Thanks for your reply.

[Techie01 · Accepted solution]

Thats correct. If you are on vendor provided ISO ( HP, Dell etc), those ISO's will contain updated drivers along with softwares for some of the vendor specific software/hardware. I remember seeing a KB about not to upgrade vendor ISO with vmware ISO ( because of driver getting downgraded)

[dudnee]

Hi MickAus

I had exactely the same problem.

Which critical patch did you install after VMware-ESXi-5.5.0-Update3-3029944-HP-550.9.3.26-Sep2015.iso?

Regards

dudnee

[MickAus]

Updates esx-base

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2133825

Patch ID: ESXi550-201510401-BG

Release Date: 6/10/2015

Sorry for the slow reply

[dudnee]

Hi MickAus

After installing Patch ID: ESXi550-201510401-BG, Release Date: 6/10/2015 my Datastore hast disappeared again.

The Build Number is noc showing 5.5.0, 3116895

Any ideas?

Regards dudnee

[MickAus]

Hi Dudnee,

So you lost access to your disk after you installed the patch ?

I had no problem with either my local or SAN disk after the patch.

Mick

[dudnee]

After installing Patch ID: ESXi550-201510401-BG I installed the hpsa driver for HP Smart Array controllers "scsi-hpsa-5.5.0.106-1OEM.550.0.0.1331820.x86_64.vib"

Then all was ok again

regards dudnee

[dsstaomri]

Hi there, would you happen to know the effect of updating to 5.5 U3 using Update Manager?  It downloaded as a critical update.  I am also using an HP customized image.